The streets weren’t vacant, and the sidewalks weren’t deserted. That was my first observation as my brother cranked the music and merged onto the highway, while outside our safe automobile bubble stretched the world under a stay-at-home order.

We were headed into the city, the identity of which should already be pretty clear if you’re from Illinois. I live in Evanston, a suburb whose geography gives unique access to and perspective on the effects of the pandemic. Evanston directly borders Chicago, but sits within easy access to very suburban and even rural areas. Forty-five minutes to an hour both into the city and out to the deep suburbs, with us smack dab in the middle.

That’s how my brother and I ended up making the inbound drive (in just half an hour!), armed with fresh eyes and a camera.

I witnessed a lot of emptiness, but also glimmers of life. From dense construction to empty train stations, from basketball hoops with the rims removed to taped off playgrounds, from neon-clad essential workers to aimless walkers with nowhere to go; peruse through this collection of photos and see what you find in the Midwest’s big stay-at-home city.

Two pedestrians, one unmasked and the other with his mask pulled down under his chin, wait at a crosswalk. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

A team of construction workers work in close quarters on a construction site. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

A bright sign for what once was a drop off area for a school stands in front of a taped off playground. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

A public bus bearing the words “Make Yourself Count” pauses at a bus stop as its masked driver adjusts their seatbelt. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

A metal lion looks on solemnly in front of a banner informing that “Lincoln Park Zoo is closed.” (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

A woman carrying many bags walks across the street as the L train crosses the track further behind her. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

A hooded figure huddles under a blanket against a door bearing a ‘NO TRESPASSING’ panel, holding a sign that reads “please help a US army veteran in need of a little help. Have a little compassion.” (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

Two CTA workers in neon vests talk as one holds a broom and the other grabs the handle of a mop. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

Two police officers in blue helmets wait on horseback at the intersection of Michigan Ave and East Wacker Drive, usually one of the busiest intersections. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

A fence has been put up around the entrance to Millenium Park, bearing ‘NO TRESPASSING’ and ‘Millenium Park is Closed to the Public Until Further Notice’ signs. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

A billboard from the Field Museum asserts “Science Matters.” (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

A masked man standing under a red umbrella checks his phone as he stands in front of a storefront that has been boarded over with plywood. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

Three men on bikes ride slowly down Michigan Avenue, usually one of the busiest streets in Chicago. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

A sign in the window of a local restaurant asserts that they are open for delivery and carry-out. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

Few cars or pedestrians navigate State Street, normally one of the most packed streets in Downtown. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

The hoop of a basketball hoop has been removed at a Chicago public park leaving only the backboard. (Photo: SARAH BLOOM / The Stanford Daily)

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